Spiritual Superhighway

Spiritual Traveler: Form to Essence

                            Spiritual Traveler: Form to Essence

              By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

 

 

At the beginning I was mistaken in four ways. I sought to remember God, to know Him, and to seek Him. When I had come to the end, I saw that He had remembered me before I remembered Him, that His knowledge of me had preceded my knowledge of Him, His love toward me had existed before my love to Him, and He had sought me before I sought Him.*

     Bayazid Bistami

 

       Introduction

 

This striking quote by the Sufi Bayazid indicates that the spiritual search is comprised of 2 actions or journeys; the first journey being the traveler’s action toward the goal and the second that action of the goal or teaching upon the traveler: this second action being the saving Grace.

 

Today, many western spiritual travelers are unaware that their journey is comprised of this multi-dimensional aspect. Mistakenly, some equate success only with personal effort, believing the harder he/she tries the greater their chance of enlightenment.  Randomly sampling paths and exercises, going from the outer world inward, seeking to connect with their own inner, spiritual center; often this first part of the journey takes a physical form: exercises, prayers, reading books, personal discipline and doing good works. 

 

As Bayazid indicates, after a period of preparation, this second action - the movement of the goal toward the traveler- is bestowed, coming forward naturally, enriching daily life.  For this to happen, it is most productive when there is contact with a teacher and school, who through the Grace of the Path, facilitate energy release and connection to the higher element.

 

In our western culture, many are still unfamiliar with the subtleties of eastern spiritual training. The traveler wishing to make the journey from form to essence, in addition to overcoming personal and societal obstacles must also come to terms with this dimensional factor: eventually realizing success is based upon a combination of organized effort and Divine Love, and Love is bestowed not earned.

 

In this writing, we will continue to discuss some key elements of the spiritual journey and further prepare the ground work for personal realization of the Beloved’s timeless caress.

 

Proliferation of Guides

 

Nowadays, when the traveler goes into any large bookstore one of the things which becomes apparent is that there is a surplus of people writing about their own spiritual experience and how to travel inward.  It seems just about everyone has a book, personal method, and set of exercises to complete the journey; for the most part, in good faith, these authors wish to share a blueprint that has worked for them. 

 

This abundance of paths and methods, for the average traveler is confusing.  I can remember my first experience entering the largest spiritual bookstore in

New York City

and being completely overwhelmed by the number of paths and books which were available. I didn’t know where to begin.

 

So much written material occurs as a result of the following reasons. Often, these books fall into the category of preparatory material or action of traveler toward the goal.

 

v     A Special Age.  This is one of those times in history, when travelers can freely explore what it means to be spiritual without fear of physical harm or death. We live in an open age and through the use of the computer and the internet, information about religions and spirituality is available in unprecedented amount. Also as a writer, the computer has made the physical task of writing accessible to many; the publishing industry with self-publishing has completely revolutionized how easily books can be published, and venues like e-magazines, blogs and e-mail have turned just about everyone into a ‘published’ author.   

 

v     Everyone is a Teacher.  One of the characteristics of the spiritual journey, after the traveler has had some initial success connecting with their own inner current, is that the traveler wants to share this wonderful experience. Because it has enriched their life, they wish to share and teach others. Every traveler is different, and there are hundreds of paths, with countless techniques; consequently in our open society we have a proliferation of material with many descriptions of what has inspired and worked.  Most often, this material  serves as way to get started, takes you part of the way and is not connected to a larger, comprehensive system to complete the full journey.

 

Hence, we hear an often repeated remark, ‘I’m tired of all these self-help books that really don’t help anyone. I want experience that works.’

 

            The Great Hunger

 

Within every one, there is an empty space which often manifests as a hunger or unease. On some level, each of us feels there is a missing piece and we all go about our lives trying to fill it.

 

v     The Great Hunger.  This inner emptiness and Great Hunger temporarily can be eased with just about anything. The world is a giant bazaar and the traveler can stock their basket with fine food, colorful garments, different types of work, sexual positions, drink, drugs and a variety of other pursuits and hobbies. Yet this inner spiritual restlessness can only be quieted on a lasting basis through connecting with your own inner spark, or the sacred within. This is the first journey from form to essence.  As a preparation, many of the books, videos and new age systems take you part of the way. From the outer to the inner.

 

v     Loss of the Sacred & Mythical. To further heighten the need for the spiritual journey, many of our more traditional connections with the sacred are no longer available. Today we are a scientific culture and daily, science challenges many of our old myths and traditional spiritual teachings. For example, the Bible offers that humanity has existed on earth for something like 10,000 years; whereas, science suggests that we have been on this planet, in human form, for millions. Similarly science suggests there were multiple locations where humanity began, not just one location or Garden of Eden.

 

Each civilization requires practical wisdom, a mythos or set of rules to help the traveler grow and guide their life; rites of passage, which traditionally helped connect the traveler with the Universal Divine through their own sacred center, in our culture have been replaced with consumerism. For western travelers, science, money, need for power, credit cards and individual personal expression have become the center of life. While these aspects to life are important, they do not fill the empty place and the inner hunger continues. Some travelers quickly recognize the malaise as a spiritual hunger. These travelers read the books, follow the exercises and prepare for the inner experience which connects with the Divine. Books, lectures, videos, articles, are part of the answer; however, the inner fire must be tended by something else as well.

 

                                                     Remembering

 

All of us are spiritual beings who have taken on a physical body, with a spiritual center that knows the way home. This spiritual center, or heart, is always connected to the sacred.  The traveler must learn to still that part which is tied to the world and listen to that which is tuned to the Higher. This is termed ‘remembering.’ This connection is enhanced as the traveler learns in the presence of a teaching Master. Often, this learning facilitates the second dimension to the journey.

 

v     Preparation for Study.  Connecting with your own inner current is part of being human. It is as natural as breathing or drinking a glass of water, yet, most often we are blocked from this experience by daily cares.  Also, it is natural to fill the empty space with concerns, ideas and worry, yet we must also set aside time to allow what is inside to naturally come forward.  To reach our sacred place and allow this energy to manifest on a conscious level, we must prepare, develop the skills necessary and be in contact with a teacher. 

 

The second journey, connecting with your own inner current and allowing it to come forward, daily, is a matter of right time, right place, and right people working together.

 

v     Finding the Teacher. In order for the traveler to be taught how to efficiently go inward, as well as allow what is inward to come forward and manifest, they must be part of a mystical school or path that specializes in this preparation. The traveler must be in an environment where this type of experience is offered and when ready, bestowed by the Divine upon the traveler.

 

By connecting with their own inner current and the higher energy of the universe, the traveler is changed; the traveler is alchemized through this set of experiences and recognizes the object of the search. This type of learning can be termed more advanced spiritual learning. It goes beyond introductory material and preparation found in books, videos, or learning systems taught via the internet, DVD or television.

 

Typically, in this age of communication, all modern teachers have developed preparatory material that the spiritual traveler can read and study.  And if a teacher appeals to you, study their material and when ready, present yourself for further instruction.

 

It is necessary to have a guide for the spiritual journey. Choose a master, for without one this journey is full of trials, fears, and dangers.  With no escort, you will be lost on a road you have already taken. Do not travel alone on the path.*

                                       Rumi

 

v     Traveling the Path. Each of the great religions has an inner current or mystical tradition; yet this type of experience is not for everyone all the time.  As indicated above, it requires preparation and a teacher or environment which specializes in this learning. To stimulate spiritual experience before the traveler is ready, can cause more harm than good; many have become casualties of the spiritual path by opening their spiritual centers prematurely.

 

All wisdom can be stated in two lines:

What is done for you- allow it to be done.

What you must do yourself- make sure you do it.*

                        Khawwas

 

 

                                                    Conclusion

 

In our western culture, we are at the frontier of spiritual learning, just becoming aware of eastern paths and traditions that have long connected travelers with the Divine.  Similarly, we are witnessing an explosion of new age teaching and interest in the spiritual.  As well, science has joined in this search for the underlying unity or life energy in the universe.

 

For the mystic, this quest has long been a journey from form to essence; where everything is connected in the primordial energy of Oneness and with proper training experienced through daily life. And in this journey, the operative or saving Grace has always been – the movement of the Beloved toward the traveler.

________________

 

*Bistami, Rumi and Khawwas quote taken from: James Fadiman & Robert Frager, Essential Sufism, HarperCollins Publisher, 1997.

 

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Listen to Dr. Bitkoff’s weekly show on internet radio: Practical Wisdom, Tuesday

1-2 pm

, go to www.pibco1.com.

 

Also by Dr. Bitkoff, A Commuter’s Guide to Enlightenment, Llewellyn, 2008 and Journey of Light: Trilogy, Authorhouse, 2004; these books are available from publisher or on Amazon.com. To contact author go to www.stewartbitkoff.com.

 

Becoming Our Own Wise One

Becoming Our Own Wise One

                                               By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

                                               

                                                *          *          *

                        There are as many ways to God as there are created souls.

                                                            Muhammad

                                                *          *          *

In our culture, who assumes the role of holy or wise one?  In more traditional cultures the holy, wise one is a central figure.  Often, they advise the king/queen, sit at the right hand of the chief, understand human behavior and prescribe medicine, help pass along the oral history of the tribe, and have an inner connection with universal wisdom and Truth.  When a difficult societal issue arises, this individual is central in helping decide direction or outcome. Daily, they are consulted on a variety of issues.

Today, this diverse role and function has been spread across a team of specialists. For guidance, we go to a priest, counselor, doctor, psychologist, historian, politician or lawyer. Because of the complexity of some issues, this specialist may not even live in our own community, and to consult them we make an appointment, months in advance, travel to get the advice/treatment and pay a fee. 

This specialist model has plus and minuses.  Specialists because of training have information and expertise not available to others.  In some endeavors, these people are essential and our culture cannot be without them. However, by separating out problems and going to others for solutions, we loose sight for the most part it is possible to manage our own concerns. Within the wise one model, a majority of issues can be solved by one person, who is readily accessible, knows us and is part of our tribe/family.

In both models, the holy/wise one and specialist model, there is reliance upon others. While, it is important in today’s technological world to have the option to work/consult with a specialist, generally, we have forgotten our own individual potential and multi-level capacities. With training, we can become our own source of wisdom and through inner perception manage a wide range of daily issues, consulting with specialists as indicated. 

Gradually, we are returning to a model of self-reliance and individual responsibility.  We are shifting away from dependence upon others and searching for our own inner wisdom to manage our life.  Tomorrow each person will be their own wise one, consulting with specialists far less frequently and only when required. This is the next stage in the evolutionary process.     

  

                                                Building Self-Reliance

How will this shift in personal awareness occur? We are in the beginning stages of it.  Look around and notice the increasing interest in different religious philosophies that maximize individual human potential and how so many are returning to spiritual based living. See the general discontent in the way government is being run and the growing awareness republicans or democrats cannot save us.  From the outside, our way of life is being attacked by terrorists who want to return to a more traditional and religious based social system (as defined by them). It is generally recognized, greed in the market place is destroying our middle class.  The family fabric is being strained with couples having to work three jobs. Soon we will be a society of rich and poor.

Many are beginning to wonder, what went wrong?  Also, many are searching for real, lasting answers. 

We are living in an age when people are turning away from authority based to individual based action. Over time, many realized we have given up too much responsibility to authority, government and institutions; gradually people are taking back control of their lives and working locally to solve their own problems.

The shift has occurred and will continue. Remember- a better world is created one person at a time. 

                                                Missing Ingredient

In order to create better, more complete people, we have to add the missing spiritual ingredient.  This enriching element balances individual greed and helps the individual realize- because of our complex world; often our best interest is served helping our neighbor. For example, we may have to spend money to upgrade the air filtering capacity of our car engine; so, we have clean air to breathe.  This may cost personally, but in the long run our air quality is healthier.

According to the mystic, the missing ingredient and balancing factor, is higher consciousness.  This consciousness, because of its alignment with Truth, enables the individual to work toward collective interest.  This potential is latent in everyone, and its individual development and operation will help save us; and we can continue with our own evolution.

Personal spiritual development is a new frontier and area of inquiry.  How can each traveler develop inner wisdom and reach higher consciousness?  How can each become a wise man/woman and achieve excellence in their daily life?

There is a way to do this, but we have forgotten where and how to look.  The next phase will see its full reemergence.

How do I go about finding the missing ingredient? Turn back to the religion of your birth; become a better Christian, Jew or Moslem.  Seek the inner core of religious experience; do not be satisfied with the outer shell of religious teaching and fossilized rules created by others.  Find your own, inner, vibrant Truth, and become a spiritual traveler.  Each of the great religions provides a structure or framework from which to begin the inner journey of exploration of self and higher consciousness. 

And if for some reason, your journey is restricted by the religion of your birth, seek Truth and higher consciousness in another spiritual path.  Pray and ask for a different way to open to you.  Pray for a guide and teacher who will show you your own inner potential and teach awareness of your own growing spirituality.  Find a teacher that is aligned with Truth and will give you tools to uncover your own strength, and teach you how to proceed on your own.

In this endeavor, three factors must be aligned: the student, the teacher and the grace (Baraka) of the path.

It is tradition that the teacher calls to the student’s sincerity or purity of heart; this is the factor that enables the student to be successful. 

How do you grow sincere in your efforts?  Seek Truth or wisdom for its own sake not for what it will give you.  Seek Truth because you love and must know it. Then, as The Light or God Wills, the golden or inner path will open to you.

This is the balancing factor, the missing ingredient.  One day this awareness will be as common as the growing realization that there is an underlying or connecting energy in the universe.

                                                      Balanced Living

Until I achieve this inner understanding, what am I to do? Try to live a good, balanced life.  Achieve excellence in something.  Seek to help others and develop the many aspects of yourself.  Make time to listen to your inner song. Stay away from that which is destructive.  Do things in moderation and try not to hurt someone.  Be kind to yourself and others.  Be a good loving person that is an asset to their family, community, and world.

If you do these things, in time, the inner missing ingredient will develop. As it develops, it will help you fully utilize all of your skills and abilities. Added spiritual capacity is a balancing and enabling element; helping travelers reach human excellence and completion. 

And when this occurs, you will be a king/queen in this world and the next; having your own inner wise one to consult.

 

(Article originally posted at www.llewellynjournal.com, copyright 2009, all rights reserved.)

Listen to Dr. Bitkoff’s weekly show on internet radio: Practical Wisdom, Tuesday

1-2 pm

, go to www.pibco1.com.

Also by Dr. Bitkoff, A Commuter’s Guide to Enlightenment, Llewellyn, 2008 and Journey of Light: Trilogy, Authorhouse, 2004.

To contact author go to: www.stewartbitkoff.com.

Spiritual Traveler: Co-creator & Servant

                       Spiritual Traveler: Co-creator & Servant

            By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

 

 

                        The Sufi is absent from self and present with God.

                                                            Hujwiri

 

 

For the spiritual traveler, one of the most intriguing spiritual practices, through the use of focused prayer, turns free will choice into submission to the higher. In some paths, submission to the higher is the goal and accompanying this level of service is greater responsibility.  In this transmutation, love is the catalyst. As the traveler loves, they are brought closer to their goal, becoming an extension of the divine.

 

                                                Opposites Reconcile

 

Following a spiritual path, early on, travelers are taught that life is up to them: we come into the earth phase with a multitude of talents, free will, a destiny or life plan and a wondrous world to express the many aspects of self. 

 

Similarly, spiritual travelers are taught that higher levels of spiritual expression are achieved through submission; turning personal intention over to that which is highest both in themselves and the universe.  Further in submission or giving up of self, which is not passive but active, the spiritual traveler finds completion and service. According to Hujwiri, the great master or Sufi exists as an extension of the higher will; with each breath and action taken for the Beloved.

 

At first glance, personal action based upon free will choice and submission to that which is highest appear opposed, and directly opposite to each other.  Yet for the spiritual traveler, there is a point at which these seemingly contradictory states merge; this coming together of personal will and submission to the higher is achieved through the alchemy of love. 

 

                                                 Bending of Will

 

Because we are in love, we wish to do what our Beloved wants.  This fire of love, or burning, described by the mystic alters the consciousness: turning personal need into submission or bending of will; by practicing this bending of will, like the willow in the wind, the traveler becomes a stage upon which the Divine enters.

 

                                         As the willow bends to the wind

                                         And the leaf curls to the rain,

                                         O Lord, I surrender myself to You.

 SB

 

In spiritual submission, outcome is tied to intention: is the action taken for self or for something higher.  For example, does one get-up in the morning: shower, shave, eat and dress for self or as a servant?  Daily entering into the commerce of the world to make the world better, as a representative of the most high, or as a ‘player’ in the game of life- amassing as much personal wealth as possible?

 

As in any organization, or chain of command, individual action is delegated.  In order to be a good worker, parent, or servant we use all talents, including free will, to make the situation and world better. Spiritual travelers are not automatons that assume God wants this or that; they take action based upon an evaluation of what is happening in front of them and through personal intention, turn this action over to God, i.e., submit to the situation.

 

                                                Serving Breakfast

 

From ordinary life, here is an example to illustrate the point at which free will bends, submitting to the situation, and love enters.

 

Let us assume that I am tired, but I need to get-up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for my children; that is my job as a parent.  However, as a spiritual traveler, because I do not have time for my morning meditation- I must make breakfast- I wish to turn this duty of making breakfast into a prayer.  Remember, I am tired with a poor attitude from staying-up late the night before and really wish that I didn’t have to do this ‘chore.’ Question: How do I get past personal friction and resistance, turning breakfast into a cheerful activity and spiritual practice?  

 

Answer: By slowly repeating, feeling and embracing the Light in each word, a version of the prayer of submission: this practice turns breakfast into a prayer; a reverent opportunity to make the world a little better. “O Lord, help me prepare breakfast for my children with joy and gratitude, so, that they might grow and be healthy, fulfilling their role as your servant. In this duty, help me be cheerful and serve your will. O Lord, I surrender myself to You.” 

 

Potentially, the energy of these words, in the form of a prayer of intention, alters my consciousness.  A little happier, I serve breakfast to my children. By slowly repeating these words through the grace of the Path, a ‘chore’ turns into spiritual practice. For those moments, I have aligned my thought and action with the higher destiny.

 

                                                     Co-Creator

 

According to the Koran, each traveler can serve as God’s vicegerent or representative on earth.  This is our birth right and higher destiny. Through repeating the prayer of submission, we can turn daily activity into a form of spiritual practice. Each traveler is born with many talents and free will choice; each is destined to rise higher and participate as co-creator in the Divine Plan.  And because God Loves us; God has created a Way or Path for us to reach higher.  This is the path of submission; the path of love and service to humanity. We love, serve and help, because it is our higher nature and the nature of God.

 

God said, “I loved to be known, so I created creation.” This is reflected in the ones whom God loves. The qualities of loving, knowing, hearing, seeing, will, power, talking are all God’s gifts to humanity. But God’s greatest gift is love, the manifestation of His love of knowing Himself. Love is the primary sustenance for human beings. They cannot live without it, and mankind learned to love from God.

                                                            Sheikh Badruddin

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Listen to Dr. Bitkoff’s weekly show on internet radio: Practical Wisdom, Tuesday

1-2 pm

, go to www.pibco1.com.

 

Also by Dr. Bitkoff, A Commuter’s Guide to Enlightenment (Llewellyn, 2008) and Journey of Light: Trilogy (Authorhouse, 2004); these books are available on Amazon.com or from the publisher. To contact author go to www.stewartbitkoff.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spiritual Traveler: Why Must there be Suffering?

                                    Show me someone

                                    Whose life has been easy?

                                    And I will show you

                                    Half a person. SB

                                   

       

For the spiritual traveler every day life problems offer an opportunity to learn and move forward along the Path.  Potentially running late to work, not having enough money to pay for gas and wondering whether the kids are coming down with a cold, all stressors- at some point on a spiritual level- offer the opportunity to go deep within our selves. 

Once the problem passes and/or is resolved, the traveler wonders: why is life filled with so many ups and downs? Why must there always be clouds to cover the sun?

 

                                    Problems are placed before you

                                    So you may overcome them.

                                                A. Hussain

                                         

     

Searching for a personal answer, the traveler looks about and sees others who are in pain and suffering from a seemingly endless variety of physical ailments. Gradually, the heart begins to ask: to what purpose is all this pain and suffering?  To this mystery, the Teaching offers there is both a short and long answer.  Also, this is one of those areas where the mind or every day consciousness asks the question and the heart or inner spiritual awareness, ponders and answers only through life itself.  The every day mind is not capable of completely figuring it out; in fact, that is not its job- its job is to ask so the heart might respond.

 

My teacher used to say, daily problems, suffering and pain serve as a friction which pushes the traveler onward, searching: pain and suffering is the great teacher.  Further, if this life were all joy, laughter and sunshine, many would have no need of the Light, travel further and experience what lies beyond suffering and sunshine- the Oneness.

 

In answering this personal question- why is life filled with problems and suffering- to fully comprehend the lesson, you must have your own experience. As the Light Wills, ask and one day you shall be ‘illuminated.’  In the meantime, it is good to consult the Books, Religions and experts: part of the answer is presented there as well.

Consider why the soul comes to this realm: to experience the fullness, serve and be co-creator.  In order for there to be darkness, there must be Light to compare it with; and beyond them both is the Oneness.  This Oneness is perceived through love and asking; in order for this personal spiritual experience to occur, you must put aside for a time preconceived notions about what you have been taught and your judgments about Deity.

 

In one of my books, which specifically addresses this dimension to life; why travelers suffer and are born only to have terrible illness? We go into this from the perspective of an entire family that faces life long mental illness (in the younger son) and eventually Alzheimer’s disease (in one of the parents). It is the second book in Journey of Light: Trilogy and is entitled: Teddy’s Last Swim in Paradise Land. This story offers the ancient teaching: some souls come here to take on the mantle of suffering and illness so they might spiritually advance and help others around them learn and question.

This answer is offered as a possibility to Teddy (main character) and he is asked to not immediately reject or accept, but over time let the potential be fully considered.

 

As the Light Wills, may your journey through life be glorious and all your questions have answers.

 

                                                Just as water must undergo change

                                                To become snow,

                                                So, we must undergo

                                                A process of alteration.

                                                Slowly, this world of the senses

                                                Must be taught to give way

                                                To the world of the soul,    

                                                Then, the change is complete. SB

*          *

No one’s life is easy;

To each is a struggle.

Only the perfected ones

Are able to look at their pain and laugh.

To them, joy and sorrow fade

In Realization of the Beloved. SB

*          *